Bay Area Flamenco Festival

Specialties

Representing the area’s vibrant Flamenco community, Bay Area Flamenco is a grassroots arts organization dedicated to facilitating cultural exchange opportunities with world-​class visiting artists from Spain through performances, workshops and residencies. Founded in 2004 by Artistic Director Nina Menéndez, BAF produces the annual Bay Area Flamenco Festival /​Festival Flamenco Gitano –now in its 10^th year– as well as numerous other events throughout the year including two dynamic and highly successful NEA-​funded flamenco series: «Flamenco at the Crossroads» (2010-​11) and «Flamenco Roots, Global Lives» f (2013 – 14). The UNESCO has recognized flamenco as a World Heritage Treasure, acknowledging the Spanish Gypsies’ essential role in flamenco’s evolution. The Festival has presented some of the important figures in the history of flamenco as well as prodigies from today’s generation of artists.

History

Established in 2005.

Founded in 2005, the Bay Area Flamenco Festival has grown into a popular and vital annual Bay Area cultural event. In addition to several days of live performances, workshops and master classes, various informal gatherings provide the opportunity for cultural exchange and create a context for experiencing flamenco in a genuinely interactive and spontaneous environment.

In 2012 the Festival received a Special Honor from the Isadora Duncan Dance Awards for performances featuring a multigenerational group of tradition-​bearers, heirs to a rich legacy of music and dance passed down through the families.

Among artists presented are Manuel Agujetas, Pepe Torres, Diego el Cigala, Angelita Vargas, Jose Maya, Manuela Carrasco, Gema Moneo, Farruco Family, Juan del Gastor, Jose Valencia, Concha Vargas, Juana la del Pipa, Carmen Ledesma, Miguel Funi and Diego del Morao.

Meet the Business Owner

Artistic Director, Nina Menendez M.

Business Owner

Festival founder & Artistic Director, Nina Menéndez was born into a family of musicians and has a life-​long passion for flamenco. Her paternal grandparents were from Spain where she has cultivated deep ties to the flamenco community. With her unique curatorial vision and well-​honed organizational skills she serves as director of the BAFF and organizes many other flamenco concerts, workshops and cultural exchange opportunities each year, sharing her profound respect for the art of flamenco with the local community. She is an active member of the Bay Area arts community and maintains a vibrant network of community relations and volunteers.

«Nina Menéndez has become a major force [as] the producer of the Bay Area Flamenco Festival» –NPR, The California Report

«…over the past decade no one has done more to build bridges between Andalusia and the Bay Area than Menendez.» Andrew Gilbert KQED

Bay Area Flamenco Festival also recommends

Tip Top Tapas

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reviews

Personal Chefs

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Caterers

Artistic Director, Nina Menendez M. says,

«Raul and Candido are both from Spain and love sharing their culture through food. Their customer service is superb.»